***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[NanaKat]

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Buster52...You are one lucky man!
Les...great story
Poco Pollo I've had to dump the goose pool every day because they have been digging in the dirt and washing it in their pool. The chicken basins get changed every day too and flooded once in the afternoon for the dirty wter too.

Wet down one of the hens this evening. She was way to hot and instead of standing in front of the fan, she had retreated to a nest box.

Thought I'd post a few pics
For those who have heard of her this is Nasty Nesty Nellie


Discussion with Charlotte over morning coffee ...really she was after my button


Running while it is cool in the morning

and dancing for rain...notice Ninya is missing the end of one wing


He worked really hard today

 

[Oakieridge]

Nana I love those pictures! Those geese sure have come a long way since you have gotten them! I am glad they found you. Your poor pup looks like he just couldn't handle another min. of work, lol.

 

[nnbreeder]

Here is a very nice set of cages. I've seen cheaply built cages at auction go for nearly as much as the opening bid and I expect them to top out at around 500 dollars.

http://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=Main.Item&itemid=3706&acctid=342

 

[Ksane]

Nana, the difference in those geese is amazing! What beautiful animals.
Cathie, I feel bad for you now. Your roomie sounds like a real drama queen lol I hope tomorrow pans out a little better for yoy.
Bill, how on earth did you manage to only hatch out 1 roo in 75 chicks?????? Mercy! I'd love to have a few more but I'm too scared to mix them with the groups I've got that are babies. Do you have any over 6 months you'll be selling? My big Blue Cochin boy has been separated with his hens from all the layers and everyone else so I know he's not been sick at all. He could sure use a couple hens and Orpingtons are the perfect size.

 

[myby]

Can't find two chicks! I have looked around and I am thiniking a cat or a bigger bird got them. I wish I know what happened to them to protect the other ones. My chickens are free range. I have a chain link fence and I know the chicks get out. Maybe something happened to the ones that like to go out! My husband needs to build me a coop with a better run but with this weather it won't happen.
Oh wee, I guess that is expected when you have chickens.

 

[nnbreeder]

Can't find two chicks! I have looked around and I am thiniking a cat or a bigger bird got them. I wish I know what happened to them to protect the other ones. My chickens are free range. I have a chain link fence and I know the chicks get out. Maybe something happened to the ones that like to go out! My husband needs to build me a coop with a better run but with this weather it won't happen.
Oh wee, I guess that is expected when you have chickens.

Just start gathering up his tools. When he asks what you are doing tell him that you are going to build you a run. Promise you it will get done.

 

[artsyrobin]

note to self...... when you are out working in the barnyard, and you scare a grass snake into a can, don't scoop it up and bring it into the house.... cuz hubby just doesn't have my enthusiasm for nature especially when it gets loose in the house and we are ripping the house apart looking for it..... he did end up catching it and setting it loose outside!

 

[myby]

Looks we got an answer. My husband was hoping the two chicks will come back and went out to see. As we turned back, we saw a possum. It is all my fault! Yesterday night for watching the Olympics I did not closed the coop. I don't recall counting the chicks this morning, but when I went to fill their water containers, the one in the coop was down and never is. It was my turn to run of luck for not protecting them. It is just less painful as I am sure they are roosters and I was going to kill them anyway.

 

[nnbreeder]

A possum is more likely to eat the feed out of the feeders and drink down the water, same with a skunk. I have seen skunks asleep nearly next to broodys and through the years have heard more then one tale of skunks asleep in nest boxes.

If they were out during the day my best guess would be a bird of prey or a crow if they were small enough.



Robin I bet that was quite the sight.

Today when I delivered a couple of feeder rats to a customer the second one got loose in his house. We had a good rat rodeo for about 30 minutes!

 

[Buster52]

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Quote:
Well, I should probably clarify.

There is currently an exemption from inspection if you process for sale your own birds sold directly to customers of up to 1,000 birds. All you have to do is register with the state and agree to a site inspection, which I did two years ago. To sell more than that, or to sell through third parties like a store, restaurant, or co-op, they have to be processed in a USDA inspected facility, and each individual bird must be inspected by a USDA inspector.

Several years ago, you could sell through the OK food co-op (which would transport and deliver your birds to drop off points) and still use the 1,000 bird exemption. Then the state ag department snuck in changes to the code modifying that part of the exemption. Plus the state ag department and the USDA began harassing producers who sold through the cooperative, visiting their farms, pushing for full USDA inspections, conducting aerial surveillance, etc. This lady was ticked the coop's lawyers let this stuff slip by, and at the state and feds, so she refused to let anyone come on her place to inspect. She preferred to voluntarily shut down, retiring from the broiler business. Even after that, she continued to receive calls and visits from these people, trying to either get her to submit to inspection, or to go full-USDA approval.

But her legacy lives on. I am now proud owner of all of this rebel pioneer's poultry processing equipment, and it will be put to good use.